Money Morals: Should we use money to bribe our two and a half-year-old son to do as he is told?

In our Money Morals series we invite readers to help solve a dilemma. This week, should parents use money to get their children to behave better?

My husband and I have become used to coming up with ever more inventive ways to persuade our two-year old son, Callum, to do as he is told.

Try as we might to resist, I am not ashamed to admit that in moments of weakness we have given in to demands for biscuits, ice cream or another showing of a favoured DVD in exchange for a marginally quieter life.

But these are wearing thin and we have now resorted to a new tactic - cash handouts. Despite having absolutely no use for it, Callum seems to value money very highly and a few coins of loose change are usually enough to get his attention, and obedience.

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My husband and I both think it's likely Callum has seen the two of us give and receive money from each other, so perhaps has begun to see it as something that is good to have even though he doesn't really understand how to use it.

But we are divided on whether we should continue with this. I am reluctant to let such an effective bargaining tool go and argue that his obsession with cash is a phase that will go the same way as all the other tricks we've used. And even if not, it could be beneficial as it may instil him with a saving habit and could teach him maths and to work for his money.

My husband, on the other hand, says it's making him greedy and money-obsessed. I will admit to being embarrassed at a recent get-together of friends when Callum proceeded to approach each of them in turn with hands open to ask for money.

Should we continue to use money as a reward for good behaviour? SS, via email.

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